Happy Easter

My Easter, this year, was spent in Santo once again. The easily accessible island near Ambae is a perfect getaway for those well-needed and well-deserved walkabouts. It's always great coming to Santa and getting a chance to see friends. After the past few months at school, I was very ready to get on that plane and head over the big blue ocean.

Why would I say that I'm ready to getaway? Well, lets just say the past few months have been very stressful and tiring. Our power at the school has been out which has in turn made my teaching computers extremely difficult. I don't think there is anything worse for a student than sitting in front of a computer and not even getting to use them for weeks on end. I think the hardest thing I've had to endure would be the constant planning and developing lessons that can be taught without power, but still be enjoyable. Just last week, I had two classes (both double periods) in the afternoon. The students were full from lunch, the room was hot and there I w as talking about the difference between system software and application software and computer impacts on our society. I've noticed that these two subjects are just the thing if your looking to put your students to sleep.

So, having to deal with ongoing planning and having students constantly come up to me asking when the lab is going to open... well, I'm tired and I need a break.  Now, my last day in Santo is here and I'm heading back to Ambae tomorrow afternoon. I'm looking forward to getting back home. Only a couple more weeks of this term left - sooooooo much to do yet! I'm hoping the power comes back before the start of term 2!

Ale for now :)

Kangaroo Meat, McDonald's, Cider, and Museums - Sydney Australia

Dad and I on a the Manly ferry :)

I can finally say that I have been to Australia - the trip was amazing and well worth it. We managed to eat, drink, and do pretty much everything that we planned to. My dad and step mom came and hung out with us for a few days... always good to see the family from time to time.

My good friend Jennifer made a great video, so I'll go ahead and share that we you all. Click on the link - Australia!

Mac, Jen, and Me

My Peace Corps Partnership was finally approved and has been posted on the PC website. If you are feeling in the giving mood, feel free to donate to my project. If not, that's ok... take a look anyway and read about my project and my school. Cheers!

https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=461-052

YEAR ONE FINISHED WITH RAIN – YEAR TWO BEGINS WITH RAIN

So, my first year is over and completed and I feel pretty darn good about it. I know the work that I did at my school and the surrounding villages have really been successful in every aspect in regards to IT. My classes all managed to run smoothly with only a few hiccups that I was able to suppress. I was able to fix pretty much every computer that came to me that either needed updates, repairs, or new installs. Also, I managed to teach the entire bit of term 3 without power and the use of my very small computer – this probably being the hardest. 

Now that classes are over and I started to enjoy my spel, I’m taking the time to look back and figure out what I can do to better improve my classes, manage my time, update my computer lab, ­­and prepare myself in case I end up without a counterpart next year.  The loss of my counterpart will end up forcing me to take on years 12 and 13, letting go of years 9 and 10, and keeping year 11. I admit that I am a little sad about dropping the younger classes (which are headaches at times, but fun headaches), but I will do whatever I have to next year to make sure things go as they should. I have a total of two weeks left to figure out what all I need to do before the school officially closes – which I think will be sometime after December 2^nd. As far as extending my contract, I’ve moved more to the idea of not staying and heading back home after a few months of travelling. I figure I’m not getting any older and I should probably figure out what I should do with the rest of my life – get some sort of plan in action. Then maybe I can re-apply back to PC and then serve again at a later time. Yea, I think that’s more of the way to go. Ahh, but the life of a PCV teacher – the long summer holiday off is pretty nice... give me a couple more months to make a decision on that.

After the holidays (Christmas and New Years), two of my good PCV friends and myself are taking a well deserved trip to Sydney Australia. We are staying for two weeks and during this time I will get to see my dad and step-mom. Really looking forward to the time away from the islands and eating some good white man kakae. The only thing that I’m afraid of is not having any decent clothes to wear, haha, never thought that would ever be a problem I’d have to face! The first thing on the list of things to do when we first arrive in Sydney is shopping for clothes after eating of course.

I think that’s it for now. The rest of my dad is fully planned, but completely dependent on the weather. I have a little shopping for my Secret Friend gift for our staff party this Friday, work on a virus-infested computer at the Education office, and check on the girls about Thanksgiving plans for tomorrow... oooh Thanksgiving J Rain rain go away please!

Term 2 Finished, Afta Sports and VILA!

Happy to announce that the end of term 2 has finally arrived! I'm surprised with how fast it has flown by, but at the same time sorry that it's going by so fast. Now that the students are finished with all their exams, we will head to Maewo tomorrow for the start of PISSA games. The games officially start on Sunday, so we'll have a few extra days before hand to get settled in. I'm looking forward the time on Maewo as well as the time I get to spend with the students! Also, I finally get the chance to try this strong Maewo kava I keep hearing about.

After PISSA, it's Vila time for a little training, project planning, and a little re-charging of the body and soul. A well-deserved break from the island is well over due and I'm extremely looking forward to this. I'm excited to see all my fellow pcvs as well!

Coaching at PISSA

Myself and my counterpart have been given the duty of coaching the senior and junior girls soccer teams for our school for the PISSA games next month. I'm a bit nervous because I have never coached a team before, only played. The girls are excited and so am I... hoping we do well!

On a sad note - the US Girls team lost today against Japan in the Women's World Cup. Megan and I went to a neighboring village to watch the game. We were lucky to watch it, but sad to have lost such an important match. It's only a game, right?! Next time girls :)

Term 2 - Bae Hemi Klosap Finis Nao

Term 2 is nearly over and I'm a eagerly counting down the days until my next trip to Vila. This past term has been great and very busy. We haven't had any trouble with any of the computers in my lab - hoping this lasts until at least the end of the year. We finally got Internet, but now I never seem to have to time to use it. I managed to get most of the students into the lab for an Internet/Computer orientation class... that was fun and a headache at the same time. Image at least 150 kids all ages 15-20 with no computer experience using a computer WITH Internet for the frist time. It was a challenge, but I think most of them are getting the hang of it.

Besides school, there are few more things in the planning. My friend Megan has started a girls youth soccer league on our island. She has three teams at one school and I have about three teams (unofficially) at my school in the works. We had a small coaching workshop this past weekend to train a few of the senior girls - I want them to coach the younger girls. The registration will start on Monday or Tuesday for the official teams. This should be exciting once things get going. Megan and I are in dire need for equipment, but hoping to get funding next month for balls, jerseys, and cleats.

On a spell note - a few of us are planning a trip to SE Asia during the skul spel. I can't even imagine how much fun this well be! I think the planning will begin sometime in August. I'm glad that we decided to go there instead of the states because I think a trip back home would be too hard on me. It would be too hard to go see friends and family (emotionally), eat good food, and then have to come back - that's just my opinion, but I do know some other volunteers that are planning on going home and who are excited. I just know that I wouldn't handle it too well. Might at well take advantage of my time in the part of the would to travel around.

Sorry bakagen - I know my English spelling and grammar are both worse now than ever before, but Bislama will do that. Until next time, lukim yu